ICYM News

4th National Youth Animator’s Conference
October 27 - 29, 2016
CCBI National Youth Commission
In Collaboration with KRLCBC Youth Commission

The fourth National youth animators’ conference organized by CCBI in association with the KRLCC and Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum Youth Ministry was inaugurated by Most. Rev. Franco Mulakkal, the Bishop of Jelandar Diocese and the Chairman of CCBI Youth Commission. The three days workshop highlighted on the theme ‘Reliving a renewed youth vision in parishes; Parish to Youth and youth parish”. In the inaugural address, Bishop Franco said that the church should be like a mother who understands the needs of her children in every spear of life. The first day ended with a workshop discussing the problems faced by the youth in the church today and proposed creative solution. This seminar is focused on opening a new era for the youth of the church.

Trivandrum Archdiocese Auxilary Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Kristhhudas delivered the Keynote address. CCBI Deputy Secretary Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, KRLCC Associate Deputy Secretary Rev. Fr. Thomas Tharayil, CCBI Youth Commission Secretary Rev. Fr. Elias OFM, Trivandrum Archdiocese Vicar General Very Rev. Msgr. Yugin H Perera, addressed the gathering. KRLCBC Youth Commission Secretary Rev. Fr. Paul Sunny, Rev. Fr. Theodeshious A Dcruz, National Youth Advisor Sri. Shine Antony, KCYM Vice President Sri. Immanuel Michael, LCYM President Sony Pavelil by their presence welcomed the gathering on the dias.

Kerala Government Youth Commission Chairperson Chintha Jerom was felicitated and CCBI Life Time Achievement Award was awarded to Shri. Prinson Jose (Prince Jewellery).

The second day of the fourth national Youth Conference began at 9.00 o’clock in the morning. The first session of the day was lead by Mr. Jose Jacob the Coordinator of ICYM Alumni, Karnataka. He spoke on the topic “Reliving a Renewed Youth Vision in Parishes”. He stressed up on the importance of accepting the creativity of young minds and promote their creativeness in the parish activities. Followed by Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy General Secretary, CCBI presented his paper on strategies to connect youth to the parish communities and the parish with the youth. He proposed different approaches and ways to attain this goal. After the short break, the participants were divided into groups to have discussion on the topic discussed by Fr. Stephen Alathara and the proposals are codified.

As part of the programme a village expo is arranged at the coastal parish of Valiaveli, where all delegates consisting of sixty priests arrived at 3.30pm., A warm welcome was arranged by the Parish community under the guidance of the Parish Priest, Fr. Antony OFM. Fr. Michael Thomas the Archdiocesan B.C.C. Director enlightened the delegates about the Basic Christian Community movement, which was followed by the entire delegates divided among 34 groups proceeding towards all BCC units of the Parish. They visited the houses, blessed the houses and conducted the small Christian Community Prayers. At 7 o’clock in the evening Most. Rev. Dr. Vincent Samuel, the Regional Youth Chairman and Chairman of Youth Commission together with Most. Rev. Dr. Franko Moolakkal, all Priests, the delegates and the Parish Community offered a Solemn Pontifical Eucharistic Celebration, which was followed by a typical multi cuisine Kerala Recipe to all delegates.

The third & final day of the conference began 9 in the morning. The first session consisted of reporting of the previous day’s workshop. Various proposals were evolved. The moderator concluded the session by stressing the importance of having a newness and renewal in the vision of the youth ministry in our parishes. After a long & deep discussion and debate the conference decided to formulate a renewed strategy for the effectiveness of the youth ministry. Thus the conference unanimously announced the resolution of the executive committee of CCBI on Indian Latin Catholic Youth Movement (ILCYM), an inclusively movement for the pastoral and holistic care of the Latin Catholic Youth of India. The declaration is made by Most.Re.Dr. Franko Mulakkal, the chairman of CCBI youth commission. National Youth Sunday and fund generation programme for youth ministry were also declared as resolutions passed by CCBI.

After the lunch, the memebers of the conference moved to Palayam St.Joseph’s Cathedral Hall for a session lead by Dr.Valsan Thambu, the former National Minority Commission Member. He spoke on the topic ‘catholic youth towards a just India.’ He stressed the importance of youth in establishing a just and peaceful society. At 4’o clock the whole conference together with the youth of the Trivandrum Archdiocese celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by Most.Rev.Dr.Soosa Pakiam, the Archbishop of Trivandrum. After the mass, the whole congregation participated in the Peace Rally from Palayam Cathedral to Trivandrum Martyrs Statue and took an oath to become the torch bears in today’s world.